Early Changes in Postprandial Insulin Secretion, Not in Insulin Sensitivity, Characterize Juvenile Obesity

The development of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, both common in adults with established obesity, was studied in 16 children, weighing 169 ± 8% ideal body weight who were 12.7 ± 0.4 years of age with obesity duration of 0.5–8.5 years and continuous weight gain in excess of normal, and compared with 11 age-matched normal children. Early in the evolution of obesity, insulin and C-peptide responses to a normal meal were increased by 76...